Adams, Finegold differ on job creation at Tewksbury debate

TEWKSBURY -- For Sen. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, investing in clean-technology businesses is part of the strategies to create more jobs in the state.

Focusing on the right industries, including health care, would help Massachusetts build its own economy, making it less reliant on federal funding, Finegold said.

Rep. Paul Adams, R-Andover, who is aiming to replace Finegold as the senator for the 2nd Essex and Middlesex District, believes, however, reducing regulations and creating a more business-friendly environment is most essential to lowering the unemployment rate in Massachusetts.

"Free market is the best tool," for energizing the economy, Adams said. The state government must focus on cutting spending rather than trying to raise tax revenues and providing subsidies to "politically favored" companies, Adams said.

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Finegold and Adams faced off for one last time Wednesday night in the debate held Tewksbury Memorial High School. The event was sponsored by The Sun with media sponsors, The Patch and Tewksbury and Wilmington Town Crier.

Adams was elected to the 17th Essex House District in 2010. The 2nd Essex and Middlesex Senate District includes Dracut, Tewksbury, Lawrence and Andover.

The two candidates stressed their differences in their fiscal approaches, with Finegold touting his job-creation strategies while Adams calling for Democratic legislators to reign in on their "big spending habit.

" Asked by the% debate panel about Lawrence' fiscal problem and the state's $35 million loan to the city, Adams said the Legislature's decision to slash local aid in recent years has necessitated such a "bail out." Finegold noted that the credit-rating of the city has improved thanks to the state oversight, and that creating jobs in the city is the top priority in improving the city's fiscal conditions.

Finegold and Adams agree that the state needs to help workers gain the skills that they need. They are also both against the referendum ballot question on medical marijuana. Finegold said he has concerns about implementation of the distribution system, while Adams pointed out drug use in other states that allow medical marijuana use has increased.

Adams is against allowing those terminally ill to end their own lives.

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